Future Forward pushes proposal to end ‘monopoly’ in spirits industry 

By The Nation

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit

 

Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit presented on Tuesday the first draft of the “Progressive Breweries and Distilleries Act” at a press conference, aimed at reducing the "monopoly" of a few big groups in the spirits industry.

 

He said that the current model of the industry could lead to more monopoly, more power of the authority and less development of technology and manpower.

 

Pita Limjaroenrat, a Future Forward Party MP and team leader of this project, added that the purpose of this new act was to resurrect agriculture in Thailand. Pita said the existing law prevents local farmers from turning their products into liquor, which can encourage small spirits business.

 

The proposal is expected to get the backing of local farmers who acknowledge that their potential is limited by the current law, Pita said.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30380588

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-01-15

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1 minute ago, webfact said:

reducing the "monopoly" of a few big groups in the spirits industry.

Yes well good luck I hope you succeed  but won't be holding my breath..those 2-3 suppliers have fought off every attempt so far.

Should be, but won't be happening!

 

Why not all industries? 

 

 

I'm liking Thanathorn better every day. Too bad he's a dead man walking.

Good, there's hope for my Ouija board factory after all.

What a great guy.  He too will probably have to take that late night drive to the Cambodian border after being charged with some sort of ridiculous  infraction.  

And this is why two companies in particular are bankrolling the junta. 

Someone needs to explain the difference between monopoly (one) and cartel (more than one) . 

Other than that it is a good idea.

9 minutes ago, yellowboat said:

being charged with some sort of ridiculous  infraction.  

 

That part's already happened, re his pending prosecution for the recent flash rally on the skywalk near MBK....

 

Think he knows this will never happen and just wants to wind em up ???? 

From what I hear, there are hundreds of well heeled young Thais, that are lining up to open craft, and micro breweries, and the government costs and hurdles are so staggering, they have decided to not move forward. The administration is a sort of protection racket for the major breweries. This is a huge detriment to society. Saw this the other day at Icon Siam. If they are able to bring in these beers, why can't anyone else?

 

 

14 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

From what I hear, there are hundreds of well heeled young Thais, that are lining up to open craft, and micro breweries, and the government costs and hurdles are so staggering, they have decided to not move forward. The administration is a sort of protection racket for the major breweries. This is a huge detriment to society. Saw this the other day at Icon Siam. If they are able to bring in these beers, why can't anyone else?

 

 

Notice the tax stickers. Due to the insane amounts of produce needed to be able to run a brewery, they are doing it in Cambo or Laos and importing the beer back. It's insane.

5 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

Notice the tax stickers. Due to the insane amounts of produce needed to be able to run a brewery, they are doing it in Cambo or Laos and importing the beer back. It's insane.

Actually its even worse.. The tax isnt the issue, you cant get a license without producing 100,000 liters (or maybe bottles ?? unsure) per month.. The small brewers are queued up to pay the tax (beer tax is low) or even the import tax (laos can manage it) the bigger illegal brewers stone head for example, all moved and opened shop in cambodia, simply so they can then legally re-import it to Thailand, to then pay the import tax at far higher levels than domestic.. 

Essentially its a closed shop without multi billion distribution.. 

 

 

26 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

From what I hear, there are hundreds of well heeled young Thais, that are lining up to open craft, and micro breweries, and the government costs and hurdles are so staggering, they have decided to not move forward. The administration is a sort of protection racket for the major breweries. This is a huge detriment to society. Saw this the other day at Icon Siam. If they are able to bring in these beers, why can't anyone else?

 

 

And they do it Thai style already, see how few Heinekens are in stock!? That's how thai play the game, just make sure it's sold out so customers will buy another brand.

This is a clever pitch on many levels.. 

 

1) it appeals to young urban hip Thais.. Right where they can most see it. 

2) it appeals to grass roots business and small scale enterprises in brewing distribution, nightlife and choice. 

3) it appeals to spread / distribute spoils geographically as well as through the economy.. Local brewers for local distribution as they grow. 

4) it is a shot across the bows of the elite / mega rich.. IIRC 2 of the 5 families are brewing dynasties. 

 

This is a win win win for FF.. Its been something I have argued would be a huge boon for small business, basically kick starting an entire new economic sector, but never thought I would see even proposed due to how protectionism works here. 

 

Its these kind of ideas that dinosaurs like those in charge would never tolerate. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Pita said the existing law prevents local farmers from turning their products into liquor, which can encourage small spirits business.

I would say 'discourage' rather than 'prevent'. (taken earlier at a local farm, and sold in 'Red Bull' bottles everywhere)

Edited January 15, 20206 yr by BritManToo

They need to ban that Lao Khao altogether.

Liver disease in a bottle

Yet another idea from these guys that makes sense. Initiatives that move the country forward and benefit locals. 

5 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Why not all industries? 

 

 

He cannot start with everything.... this is the START of a progressive movement. hitting large family monopolies, conglomerates, trying to get some competitiveness back into production.

Let the farmers grow wheat, barley, malt, hops , grains etc etc and open up a channel for micro breweries for SME's to create craft beers and even micro distilleries making something more than Blend or Hong Thong!

He's got my vote!

 

44 minutes ago, BobbyL said:

Yet another idea from these guys that makes sense. Initiatives that move the country forward and benefit locals. 

But if it ever came to fruition the super rich families would lose large amounts of income and between them they have far more assets and money than Thanathorn and they don't like losing even 25 satang. Added to that is the power and face which goes with it.

1 hour ago, billd766 said:

But if it ever came to fruition the super rich families would lose large amounts of income and between them they have far more assets and money than Thanathorn and they don't like losing even 25 satang. Added to that is the power and face which goes with it.

There are a few things that would make the top elite back down. One is the risk of their heads ending up on spikes. If Thanathorn manages to start a movement large enough, that risk would not be something they'd be willing to take. 

 

Which is why they'll take him out before he gets to critical mass. There will be the usual storm in the laukhao bottle for a few days, lots of outrage in social media and usual huffing and puffing and then nada, back to sitting on their <deleted> and taking it up the trademan's.

8 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

From what I hear, there are hundreds of well heeled young Thais, that are lining up to open craft, and micro breweries, and the government costs and hurdles are so staggering, they have decided to not move forward. The administration is a sort of protection racket for the major breweries. This is a huge detriment to society. Saw this the other day at Icon Siam. If they are able to bring in these beers, why can't anyone else?

 

 

And why can't you make your own brew?

16 hours ago, DrTuner said:

There are a few things that would make the top elite back down. One is the risk of their heads ending up on spikes. If Thanathorn manages to start a movement large enough, that risk would not be something they'd be willing to take. 

 

Which is why they'll take him out before he gets to critical mass. There will be the usual storm in the laukhao bottle for a few days, lots of outrage in social media and usual huffing and puffing and then nada, back to sitting on their <deleted> and taking it up the trademan's.

IMHO

 

TBH I am not sure that they can take him out now. They can trump up charges and I have no doubt that they will, dissolve the FFP party, but in terms of a final solution, I don't think that will happen as there are too many people who will be around to protect him. He is too well known to come to that

20 hours ago, DrTuner said:

Notice the tax stickers. Due to the insane amounts of produce needed to be able to run a brewery, they are doing it in Cambo or Laos and importing the beer back. It's insane.

Yet, they are selling imported American craft beer, which is excellent, for about $5 a can. Quite close to what is sells for in the US. There is something going on here. My guess is that this group is so big, and so powerful, they simply own a customs guy, who works almost exclusively for them, and they pay 5% or so on these imports.

20 hours ago, Thian said:

And they do it Thai style already, see how few Heinekens are in stock!? That's how thai play the game, just make sure it's sold out so customers will buy another brand.

The real question is, with a selection like that, why would you want to subject yourself to drinking just another heinekin?

8 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The real question is, with a selection like that, why would you want to subject yourself to drinking just another heinekin?

Well because i don't expect any thai product to be good...

 

But to tell you, Heineken is a low class cheap ass beer in Holland...we have much better beer and the Belgians/Germans have the best.

 

I never drink heineken cause i hate headaches, and i'm dutch....i would rather pay double or treble prices for a quality beer...

 

Thai do the same with coffee now, they took the best one of the shelves and put more thai coffee on it...(in the Makro)...so we don't go there anymore now.

3 minutes ago, Thian said:

Well because i don't expect any thai product to be good...

 

But to tell you, Heineken is a low class cheap ass beer in Holland...we have much better beer and the Belgians/Germans have the best.

 

I never drink heineken cause i hate headaches, and i'm dutch....i would rather pay double or treble prices for a quality beer...

 

Thai do the same with coffee now, they took the best one of the shelves and put more thai coffee on it...(in the Makro)...so we don't go there anymore now.

Is it not a Thai beer? It is made here, Do they use high quality, imported hops and barley? I doubt it. It does not taste very good, like the rest of the low quality Thai beer. All it really has is a famous name. As a matter of fact, I would rate the Thai beer as being some of the lowest quality beer in the world. Chang? Singha? Tiger? Angkor? Leo is slightly less offensive than the others. But really? Is that the best you can do?

16 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

And why can't you make your own brew?

pesky things called laws.. 

4 hours ago, Thian said:

Well because i don't expect any thai product to be good...

 

Thais are making some superb craft beers.. Even given the current legal climate.